Indomitable Largs war veteran and former Prisoner of War Jack Ransom was bright as a button as he celebrated his amazing 103rd birthday celebrations - and even conducted the music for his own Happy Birthday singalong!
In incredible scenes, Jack led his own musical celebrations as local piper Eddie Van Kaathoven played the bagpipes for the big celebration at his home in Cumbrae Court.
He was joined by his 92 year old wife Maddie who he famously met on the supermarket aisle at Morrison's Supermarket.
Having survived the horrors of the Burma Railway - melting away to five stone due to starvation and eating charcoal to survive - Jack has lived a full life and is still smiling and remarkably lucid, an absolute gentleman and a shining example of his generation.
He was so thankful that he was able to celebrate his massive milestone with family and friends at long last and was even singing and dancing on the big day.
Previous parties had to be cancelled due to Covid in 2020 and 2021 and then an extended stay in hospital in 2022.
First Minister Humza Yousaf sent a letter of congratulations to Jack on his big day.
He wrote: "I want to wish you many happy returns You will have to tell me your secret to reaching such an incredible milestone!
"I hope you have a wonderful time celebrating your brithday with family and friends. Please accept my very best wishes."
Local MSP Kenneth Gibson and MP Patricia Gibson were also in attendance.
Kenneth said: "Jack, a resident of Largs, was born in Peckham and is known locally as the “Scottish Cockney.
"He served in the British Army in the Second World War and aged only 21 was captured by the Japanese after the fall of Singapore in 1942. Jack survived the horrific conditions of the Burma Railway at the River Kwai until liberation in 1945. Indeed, Jack may be the oldest remaining British survivor. Over 13,000 allied prisoners of war and up to 100,000 civilians died building the railway.
"Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Jack was unable to celebrate his 100th birthday as planned and, therefore was determined to celebrate this special occasion. Cumbrae Court was packed and Jack was in fine fettle, talking about his early life and his return to the Kwai in 2009, the place where he lost so many comrades."
The top brass of Royal British Legion Scotland were also in attendance.
CEO Claire Armstrong said: "He is such a stalwart for the Legion -and he always stays in touch with us.
"My first involvement with Jack we were doing virtual stuff to commemorate VE Day and VJ Day and we got in touch with Jack and he was an absolute star - people were really interested in Jack's amazing story. We were delighted to get the invite - and it is lovely to be able to celebrate the big occasion which is tremendous.
"In 2021 he laid a wreath for us for Remembrance Sunday on behalf of WW2 veterans and he wanted to stand there for attention for the whole thing. He was very proud to be involved with that - and he laid the wreath along with the First Minister along with representatives of the UK Government and the Armed Forces - and we are very proud of him. He has such a vivid memory of everything he has been through."
Post-war life wasn’t easy as after marrying, Jack became a widower twice.
However has since found love in Largs with his wife Maddie.
At the age of 90, Jack learned how to master the computer to write his own story of his life and has been using social media to stay connected, and his hobbies and pastimes include art and even some of his impressive works of art were on display at his 103rd party celebrations at Cumbrae Court.
And Jack still has one over-riding ambition - to meet the King.
Incredibly, he recalls meeting Charles' great grandmother Queen Mary many moons ago in 1926 when he was a schoolboy.
In a recent interview with the News, Jack said: "I would dearly like the opportunity to meet him one day as I am a great admirer of his and I can tell him about the day I met his great grandmother - there can't be many about still who can say that!"
Jack, who was forced to celebrate his 102nd birthday in hospital in April last year, amazed medics by making a miraculous recovery from a broken hip.
When asked of his secret to a long life, he said: “My beloved wife Maddie definitely keeps me on the straight and narrow.
“I don’t smoke or drink and I make sure to take my vitamins every day, but really I think the secret to a long life is to make sure you keep cheerful and always try to show determination to overcome the challenges life can throw at you."
PICTURES: Kevin McGarry
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